Trump to build in downtown Tampa

[bobliocatt]

Donald Trump announced Monday plans for a 52-story luxury condominium in downtown Tampa. The project, to be called Trump Tower Tampa, will be developed in a partnership with local Tampa Bay-area developers SimDag-RoBEL LLC.

According to a release, Trump Tower Tampa will be Trump's first project on the Gulf of Mexico.

"We are developing a signature landmark property so spectacular that it will redefine both Tampa's skyline and the market's expectations of luxurious condominium living," stated Trump. "Trump Tower Tampa will undoubtedly have a phenomenal impact on the city."

The $220-million development will be located on a 1.5-acre site at 111 South Ashley Drive along the Hillsborough River in the heart of Tampa's financial and cultural districts.

The building, which will be the tallest residential building on the Gulf, will feature 190 condominium and penthouse residences ranging from 1,991 square feet to 6,150 square feet and priced from $700,000 to more than $5.5 million.

"I appreciate Mr. Trump's investment in Tampa," stated Mayor Pam Iorio. "This is an exciting residential project along our Riverwalk and will add greatly to building a vibrant downtown neighborhood."

Trump Tower Tampa is designed by the Tampa-based firm Smith Barnes Santiesteban Architecture Inc. Turner Construction will build the project.

[Hisma]

that's awsome, & huge for Tampa. Just the name that comes with Trump will bring prestige to the city. Yea its more luxury condos, something Tampa doesn't exactly need more of, but I bet the potential impact this can have is huge.

[PghUSA]

It got some free advertising too on NBC and the reruns of CNBC on the Apprentice!

[bobliocatt]

Trump looks at Tampa tower

At more than 50 stories, the tower would be the tallest on the west coast of Florida.

SAUNDRA AMRHEIN and JAMIE THOMPSON

Published January 8, 2005

TAMPA - Real estate mogul Donald Trump, star of the hit reality show The Apprentice, may be putting his name on Tampa's skyline.

A proposed condominium tower to be built downtown along Tampa's waterfront would be more than 50 stories high, making it the tallest on Florida's west coast, WTVT-Ch. 13 reported Friday night.

Brochures for the condo at Ashley Drive and Whiting Street have gone out and promise the ultimate in luxury and so-called "Trump style."

"I think that's indicative of what an attractive market Tampa is," Mayor Pam Iorio told WTVT on Friday.

She added: "I'm not at all surprised. He's very high profile of course, and that will make a big splash. But the fact is, we're getting more and more interest from national investors who see Tampa as a quality place to invest, and that speaks well of our city."

An official announcement is expected Monday.

Tampa developer Al Austin said he had only heard some rumors about such a plan.

"Where are they going to park?" he wondered, speculating that the building would need to include a substantial number of floors devoted to a parking garage.

But he welcomed such an enterprise.

"Any time there's something good for Tampa, I'm for it," he said.

Christine Burdick, president of Tampa Downtown Partnership, said she heard rumors months ago that Trump might involved in the project. However, the developers denied it at the time, Burdick said.

Last week, several people inquired about whether Trump was involved, Burdick said, but she had not been able to confirm it.

Trump made headlines in late November when his casino empire filed for bankruptcy protection after months of negotiations with bondholders over restructuring a crushing debt.

Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. and numerous related operations filed for protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.

The casino business consists mainly of three Atlantic City properties and a riverboat casino in Indiana and are only a small part of Trump's real estate empire.

The filings come even as Trump, the celebrity developer and best-selling author, has returned to the spotlight with the television show The Apprentice, which turned "You're fired" into a national catch phrase.

Trump said he will remain chairman and chief executive of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, but his share would be reduced to 27 percent from 47 percent under a proposed restructuring plan reached with bondholders last month.

Times staff writer Scott Long contributed to this report.